3 Mistakes Homeowners Make When It Comes to Air Conditioning

Jul 10, 2015

Summertime in Highland Park is much more enjoyable with a functional A/C system. If cared for properly, your cooling system should provide you with reliable, efficient service for many years, but if neglected, things can get a little heated. Here are some common air conditioner mistakes you will want to avoid in order to maximize your comfort and make the most of your investment.

Neglecting Service

One of the biggest air conditioner mistakes homeowners make is to forego annual preventive maintenance. Scheduling routine maintenance is the best way to prepare your system for the season ahead and prolong its life span. Your HVAC technician will clean, tune and repair your system as needed, to prevent breakdowns and major repairs mid-season.

Maintenance includes:

Cleaning and inspecting the outdoor condenser coils

Checking the blower and motor

Inspecting return and supply lines

Checking refrigerant levels

Tightening of all electrical connections

Inspecting fan motor and blades for damage

Cleaning dirt and debris from inside the cabinet

Failing to Conduct an Energy Audit

A home energy audit is a valuable tool for determining the energy efficiency of your home and identifying which areas need improvement. Inadequate insulation levels and air leakage can contribute to heat gain, forcing your A/C to work harder to cool your home. As part of your energy audit, a contractor will perform a blower door test to help measure how airtight your home is, and to physically locate areas of leakage. Your contractor should also perform a Manual J load calculation to ensure your A/C is properly sized for your home.

Not Changing the Filter

A dirty filter restricts airflow, reduces efficiency, shortens the life span of your equipment, increases energy costs and reduces indoor air quality. Experts recommend changing the air filter every four to six weeks.

Carefree Comfort, Inc. is happy to help you to ensure that you are using and taking care of your air conditioning system correctly. Call us today at 847-388-0115 for more information about how you can avoid common air conditioner mistakes, or if you would just like information about our services . We look forward to serving you!